Through a Different Lens by Riana Everly

Author:Riana Everly [Everly, Riana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781775128380
Publisher: Bay Crest Press
Published: 2019-01-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Conversations

Over the following days, a schedule of sorts developed. Mr. Darcy appeared at precisely nine o’clock on Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. “I have allotted my time accordingly,” he explained, “and conduct the business of my estate and local affairs on Tuesdays and Thursdays.” He took an early breakfast with the family and visited with Samuel before the lad left for his day at the local school, whereupon he spent the remainder of the morning with the Miss Bennets and Miss Lucas, and, when she was not otherwise engaged, Mrs. Gardiner.

They might sit in the morning room and converse easily over tea and the newspaper, discussing the latest tidbits from the society pages, or at times, news from the battlegrounds of the Continent. Or, they might debate the merits of some recent publication of poetry or the performance of some theatrical production currently on the stage. At times, they would all walk with the younger children and Miss Pierce in the park, taking in the fresh late spring air whilst the children were permitted to expend their energy under their nursemaid’s careful eye. Mr. Darcy had attempted to discuss his own situation with Miss Pierce, since Elizabeth had spoken so well of her, but she assured him that she herself could have done nothing beyond what Miss Elizabeth had done.

“Nay, sir,” she had informed him, “You have taken Miss Bennet’s lessons to heart, and have succeeded far beyond what I might have imagined, had you begun like young Master Gardiner. I believe, rather, that Miss Bennet has been of greater use to you than I ever might have been, for she is of your class, not a working girl like myself, and can guide you through the nuances of gentle society in a way that I never shall. Look to Miss Bennet, sir, for she is your better teacher!”

He related this to the lady in question as they walked one morning in the park. The swans had come to the shore to scavenge for crumbs or seeds or whatever other treats might be offered to them, and the Gardiner children were delighted at the sight. Little Julia was somewhat shy of the large white birds, but Helena, so much older and braver, strutted around with her knees locked and her feet pointed outward, announcing that she wished one day to become a swan herself! Jane was at the house with Maria, who pleaded a head ache, and Mrs. Gardiner was visiting a friend, thus leaving Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth to converse in some privacy.

“Miss Pierce insists that you are best able to help me find comfort in the clamour of society,” the gentleman spoke as they sat on a bench near where the children and waterfowl played. “She might well be right. But what thought you of that final soirée at Rosings? I had hoped to speak with you about this earlier, but…”

“But other events intervened,” Elizabeth finished for him in subdued tones. “For that I am sorry.”

“We promised not to speak of that.

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